Three

Part of me can't believe you're already three Georgia, the other part can't believe that three years and one day ago I didn't know you.  It feels as though time is moving faster these days and you are soaking everything in.  You're growing and changing but are still the same girl who knows what she wants and loves to snuggle - two traits a nurse told me you had the night you were born.
Today we celebrated you turning three just the three of us - this is your last birthday as an only child!  When you woke up you we all went out to the living room where you found your new dollhouse, something you'd seen several months ago and would ask to look at each time we went to Costco.  You were thrilled and spent most of today playing with it.  We did take a break to go out to breakfast where you had a candle in you pancakes.  We ended the day with dinner, you requested spaghetti, zuccinni and yams - still my healthy eater.  We did two rounds of happy birthday and you wanted each of us to blow out the candle.

At three years old here is what I can tell you about you...

Your favorite color is orange but you wear pink most often.

You tell me about a dozen times a day "Mama, I love you so much in the whole world!"  I never get tired of hearing it and am trying to "bank" in for when you hit your teen years.

You're funny, and you know it.  One of your favorite "games" is to shake hands and say, "nice to meet you, what's your name?"  Each time we pick different names of friends, objects, animals, whatever, and each time you throw your head back laughing that I didn't say my name is mama.

You've taken to calling myself and daddy by our first names, if you don't get a response the first time using mama or daddy you will call, "hey, Alison?" or "Brian... hey, Bri..."  We think it's hilarious.

You love your baby dolls, you carry them around, wrap them up and talk to them... you're going to be a fantastic big sister.

Clothes, shoes and all things girly are still your favorite, our friend and neighbor gave you a plaid blue and white shirt for your birthday, your first comment, "this is for a boy!"  I guess we need to expand your wardrobe colors a bit.

When I ask you if you're a kid or a baby, you say, "no mama, I'm a little girl!"  And a little girl you are, you certainly have a sense of maturity to you but when you're around other kids you join right in. 

You have good manners and use them... you love to help unload groceries and often as you pull things out of a bag you'll gasp and say, "oh thank you so much!"  The irony isn't lost on me, I use to work so hard to get you to eat and now you're thanking me for food.

We love you so much and are so proud of the person you're becoming.  You have certainly encountered more challenges than most adults I know but you're happy, just a happy little girl who loves life.  You're my little force to be reckoned with all wrapped up in a beautiful package.  Happy third birthday my girl, and happy 22 months post transplant.

 First thing this morning, checking out your new dollhouse.

 I think it was a hit!

Birthday pancakes

 Still going

 Happy to be three!

One last round

Party Time!

Today we had a birthday party for Georgia, throughout the week the guest list kept getting shorter and shorter due to sick kids.  Despite a smaller crowd, I am happy to report we had a successful party - I know this because as Georgia went down for a nap this afternoon she said, "I had a fun time at my party!"  What more could I have asked for?
We had a sort of photo booth with props that everyone got a kick out of, Georgia had cake and presents, I saw a little dancing and a lot of smiles.
Thank you to all of our family and friends who helped us celebrate!  Also, thank you to our family and friends who are always so vigilant about keeping Georgia healthy - we look forward to keeping the celebration going with you soon!

 

Sadie, Georgia & Nevaeh

 the little stud, Ryker

 Georgia with Grandpa & Grammy

Georgia with Nana & Bawdy

 The Deckons

Miss Sadie

 

 the girls working hard on their picture frames 

 Sadie was sick on her birthday a few weeks ago so we thought another round of happy birthday and a candle was called for!

 Nev reminded us that she too had just had a birthday, everyone was happy to do another round!

 

We love you Georgia girl!

Happy Halloween

The last few years Halloween has not been, shall we say a favorite holiday of mine.  Georgia's first Halloween was spent in the hospital, having just finished a round of chemo.  Her second was started with a clinic visit to Children's then getting very sick which resulted in being admitted to the hospital for GVHD.  The day is young so I am knocking on wood right now but I have high hopes for this year.  We're going to Georgia's first Halloween party tonight at Auntie Leslie's house! 

Georgia is quite good at saying "Go! Fight!!Win!!!"  This is also known as the Handsaker family motto!

I hope everyone has a safe and fun Halloween!

Twenty Weeks

Yesterday I hit 20 weeks, I can't believe I'm half way through my pregnancy!  Today I had my 18-20 week ultrasound.  We'd intended to have someone watch Georgia but things didn't come together so all three of us went to the appointment.  In the end it was really fun to have Georgia there, she watched the screen, we pointed out things and she smiled.  At one point she asked why I was taking a nap... lying down in a dimly lit room.  The printer broke after printing two pictures so we were sent home with a CD of pictures and also a very short video clip of the baby swallowing - it's all so incredible.  See you in March baby!

 Profile

 

Foot

 

 

If you watch the mouth you can see the baby swallowing and below that you'll see his or her heart beating.



Go Team!

Last week we visited the SCCA for a monthly appointment, something I'd been anticipating for weeks.  I always try and gauge how her labs are based on the demeanor of the people we meet with before we see our doctor and PA, it's not a trusted method but one that's hard to break. 
First up, the pharmacist, there was a lot of crossing out on Georgia's med sheet, she is now only on supplements which feels fantastic!  Next up, the dietitian, it's amazing what a difference a year makes... a year ago Georgia had a feeding tube, last week we were discussing how she is such a good eater.  I used to  dread the walk to get her height and weight, now I find myself looking forward to hearing the results.  The scale doesn't lie, a reading of 13.6kg had everyone smiling, she has jumped from the 25th to the 50th percentile for weight in just about two months.  Next she stood against the height measurement, feet together, standing tall, chin up... the dietitian looked at the number, then at her chart and said, "wow, really?... let's measure again to make sure this is right."  Sure enough, Georgia has grown 3cm since our last visit and jumped up from the 10-25th to the 25-50th percentile for height!  We're regaining some ground and Georgia sits nicely on a chart that is compared to the average (almost) three year old.
Then the time had come, in walked our PA and doctor, both smiling as came in... Georgia wore her Halloween costume to her appointment, it lightened the mood and brought some much needed cheer to the transplant floor of the SCCA.  They both remarked at how Georgia isn't a baby any more, she's a little girl and looks great - something her mother never gets tired of hearing. 
The labs looked fine and the topic of skin quickly came to the forefront.  Her transplant doctor believes there is a good chance the various spots, some "JXG-like" some not, are mild skin GVHD.  He said that she is doing really well seven weeks off of immune suppression but that her immune system is still finding a balance and this could very well be the result.  His feeling is that her skin needs to be watched but unless we see spots that come, stay and grow there is no need to do a biopsy and wouldn't treat mild skin GVHD.  So for now, we're off the hook until late November for our Children's appointment, assuming all goes well then we will be back at the SCCA in January for Georgia's two year post transplant work up, slow and steady, we can do this.

Three cheers for a good appointment!

21 Months Post Transplant

Georgia I can hardly believe that in one month you will be three!  You continue to excel in the talking category and we are without a doubt in the "why" phase... "why mommy, why?"  Here are a few other things you've said lately:

Recently we stopped by Target, immediately upon walking in the door you spotted the teen girl clothes, went over to a shirt and said, "oh, beautiful, this is beautiful."  I laughed to myself and told you it was for big girls, you said "when I get bigger mama, I wanna wear this."  "Ok, Georgia."  As we walked away you passed by another shirt, touched it and said "beautiful" as if you were in Tiffany's admiring diamonds.

A couple of days ago we were at the park, you were across the playground and yelled "hey Al" when you wanted to get my attention.

With the onset of cold and flu season we've already had several cancelled play dates.  I do my best not to tell you about any plans we have until the day of but sometimes things still get cancelled.  We talk about how it feels when we aren't able to see friends, and the words frustrated and disappointed often come up.  At the end of the day, it makes me sad that you can't do everything you want to do but I think it's healthy that you are able to express how you feel.

Since plans are always tentative I try and have ideas for projects or places to visit in mind, so far they seem to be keeping you happy, I'll often hear "that's a great idea mama!"

We talk a lot about the new baby that's coming, you're always quick to ask if you can help with the baby, you want to feed him or her a bottle and do lots of snuggling.  The four baby dolls that you sleep with tells me that you are going to be a great big sister.
With the talk about baby, daddy told you that you'll be a big sister and more grown up when the baby comes, you said "I not want to be a grown up, I want to be a kid!"

Conversations have started to look like this and start with "so mama..."  I can only imagine what the teen years will be like!

With fall upon us I am trying to get us outside when it's not raining to enjoy the colors, here are a few pictures from the park last week:

Being the helper that you are, you wanted your own rake to help with the leaves.  This is the first year you've been able to play in the leaves so we took full advantage a couple of days ago.  Daddy kept raking up the leaves then throwing them around for you to run through, he said, "I am creating more work for myself but it's too fun to care."  You loved every minute.

 

 

Skin Deep, Part 2

I realize I haven't given much of an update about Georgia's skin, to be honest there isn't much of one.  After our trip to the dermatologist we've certainly been more on edge but after several conversations, the decision at this point has been made not to do a biopsy. 
I talked with our oncologist and her feeling is that even if this is JXG that Georgia's lab work outweighs anything that may be on her skin.  She said, with monthly labs and appointments, we're watching her like a hawk.  She did contact the woman who is considered the "world expert" on JMML to see if she'd ever heard of a recurrence and if that was or was not linked to a recurrence of disease.  Two other JMML doctors weighed in, and the only time they had seen a recurrence was when the patient had a genetic condition called NF1, something Georgia has tested negative for.
At this point we are trying to stay positive and looking forward to putting our next SCCA appointment behind us.  We've got another week then it's time for labs and appointments, although several of the spots on her skin have been there for months, this appointment seems to carry more weight than the last few.
As always, positive thoughts, vibes and prayers are welcome and appreciated.